Biologist. Fundamental and applied research on plant and soil inhabiting microarthropods (mites and insects) of different groups and families, on their role, functional and community’ relationships with a focus on behavioral ecology-related topics and multi-trophic interactions. The activity was mainly devoted: a) to deep knowledge on mite/insect key players in integrated/biological pest management in agro-ecosystems such as orchards, vineyards and greenhouse crops; to link elements of animal behavior-ecology-dynamics, and biological control in plant-inhabiting mites such as herbivorous spider mites (Tetranychidae) and eriophyoid mites (Eriophyidae), and predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae; c) to study and characterize, in predatory mites, the potential for natural and biological control of herbivorous mites and insects in natural as well as agricultural ecosystems and greenhouse; d) to assess biodiversity in different managed soils and evaluate role of soil mites/communities as indicators and agents of functional biodiversity; e) ecology, identification, physiology – and implication on their spreading and healthy consequences - of astigmatid mites as dust mites and stored products’ mites.